Two little friends… united by courage

By Compassion
Here's how to do it: Ellie (right) shows off her new prosthetic leg to Charlotte, who hopes to get her first pair in a few months

Here's how to do it: Ellie (right) shows off her new prosthetic leg to Charlotte, who hopes to get her first pair in a few months

Smiling together, the two pretty blonde girls could easily be mistaken as sisters, not new friends with a unique bond.

The lives of Ellie Challis and Charlotte Nott have taken almost identical paths. Both started life as healthy babies — until they contracted meningitis and had to have all of their limbs amputated.

The incredible survival story of Ellie, now seven, gripped the nation after she fell ill in 2005 at just 16 months old. And in December, three-year-old Charlotte narrowly survived the illness, but at the cost of her arms and legs.

‘Charlotte put her stumps up against Ellie’s to say hello,’ said  her mother Jenny Daniels, 29,  yesterday. ‘She was so happy to  see someone else with stumps just like hers.

‘Ellie was great — she showed Charlotte that she could get around easily with or without prosthetic legs and Charlotte hobbled after her. It was very special.’

Hello, pet: Seven-year-old Ellie, who contracted meningitis in 2005, makes friends with the lambs during a day at a farm

Hello, pet: Seven-year-old Ellie, who contracted meningitis in 2005, makes friends with the lambs during a day at a farm

Ellie’s parents Lisa, 37, and Paul, 47, have helped her learn to walk on prosthetics, start school and ride a bike. ‘I know exactly what Jenny is going through,’ said Mrs Challis.

‘I remember thinking that Ellie would never have a normal life. But it’s great that we’ve been able to show Charlotte and her family that there’s very little Ellie can’t do.’

Charlotte’s parents – Jenny, an administrator for a book publisher, and air conditioning repairman Alex Nott, also 29 – are just starting to come to terms with what has happened to their daughter.

You have a go: Little Ellie is all smiles as she shows a curious Charlotte how to operate the wheelchair

You have a go: Little Ellie is all smiles as she shows a curious Charlotte how to operate the wheelchair

‘When Charlotte caught meningitis, my world fell apart. I was terrified about what the future held for her,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘So to see Ellie running around was so special to me – it has given me hope for Charlotte’s future.’
Ellie became the youngest person ever fitted with £10,000 carbon ‘flex-foot’ legs two years ago.

Ellie also let Charlotte have a go on her wheelchair – it is too tiring for her to use her prosthetic legs all the time. She controls it with the stumps of her arms.

I'll race you: Charlotte (left) and Ellie giggle together as they get behind the wheels of toy cars

I'll race you: Charlotte (left) and Ellie giggle together as they get behind the wheels of toy cars

Charlotte will have to wait until she is five before the NHS can provide her with a wheelchair.

She hopes to get her first pair of prosthetic limbs in the next few months once her wounds heal.

‘I still say thank you every day that Charlotte is still here with us,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘Watching her playing with Ellie was a miracle.’

[source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1383674/Two-little-friends–united-courage-Amputee-victims-forge-firm-friendship-contracting-meningitis.html]
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Feel for Jonker Street

By Beautiful Melaka, Photography
moody evening of Jonker Street

moody evening of Jonker Street

Looking back of old photos sometimes gives us some clue of our development in photography. And early this week, I flashed back the old albums in juesatta and realised that the style of my photography has changed throughout the years. Something I’ve gained and that something is also missing.

I wanted to looking for something that missing…

Two days ago Dylan and I decided to do street photography again. Besides favoring the nostalgic street, we chose Jonker Street again where we did street photography a few times, so that we could know how far we could go when shooting at the same location.

That afternoon when we arrived, I told Dylan, “Let’s forget about what we’ve learnt of photography: composition, exposure, and quality. Put those lesson 101 aside and shoot only what we feel like shooting.”

And Dylan said to me, “Right! Rules are made to be broken.”

Like a wise person once said: if you intend to break a rule you should always learn it first to make sure you’re breaking of it is all the more effective! Then we’d decided to give a go.

Without relying on the decent performance DSLR camera I have, I grabbed my sister’s Panasonic compact camera and we were off searching for the ‘feel’ of street.

Thanks to Dylan for the company and we had so much fun learning together. May all beings be happy.

Outcome of the shooting session:

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Let’s go Cambodia – Ta Prohm Temple

By My journey, Photography
trees growing on Ta Prohm Temple

trees growing on Ta Prohm Temple

First thing we did after arriving in Siem Reap and had our breakfast in town was to go to Ta Prohm Temple, which known for the trees growing on it, and that Tomb Raider by Angelina Jolie was filmed at. We have to thank Miss Chong from our trip who made the arrangement to Ta Prohm Temple and Angkor Wat, which initially were not included in the tour. We are glad that we were able to make out there, as a trip to Cambodia without Angkor Wat would be disappointing.

visitors making their way through the jungle the the temple

visitors making their way through the jungle the the temple

It took about 30 minutes bus ride from town to Angkor. Before we entered the area, we stopped at the ticket booth. Each of us had to have our individual photo taken and printed on the pass. This procedure is to avoid people from sharing or transferring their passes.

The passes we purchased got us access to all of the Angkor temples and they were not exactly cheap, however they were worth it. After gotten our passes, we proceeded to first destination, Ta Prohm Temple.

A brief history of Ta Prohm Temple from the web,

Ta Prohm is the modern name of a temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara. Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor’s most popular temples with visitors.

The temple of Ta Prohm was used as a location in the film Tomb Raider. Although the film took visual liberties with other Angkorian temples, its scenes of Ta Prohm were quite faithful to the temple’s actual appearance, and made use of its eerie qualities.

Ta Prohm is the only temple that has not been restored, but left just as it was found. The courtyards, walls and roofs of Ta Prohm have been repaired to prevent further deterioration and the inner area has been unclogged of dense bush and jungle vegetation.

serene Buddha statue

serene Buddha statue

Our guide told us that we had only 45 minutes to visit Ta Prohm Temple because we had to visit Angkor Wat then Phnom Penh. We knew it was insufficient to explore the whole temple in that time frame, therefore we had to take a cook’s tour.

Bus stopped in front of Ta Prohm Temple with Buddha face tower as the gate entrance. That morning, the place was crowded with visitors.

When walking from the gate to the temple, we went into the jungle through a slippery muddy walkway after a rain. We saw some landmine victims’ music instruments performance and raised landmine awareness on our way. We took a few shots and quickly headed to the temple not far from the front.

Arrived at the front the temple, we were like wow, we were finally here at the Tomb Raider Temple, old and magical temple! The outlook of the whole temple was magnificent and we were wondering how people could build such a place centuries ago.

We entered the temple separately and each of us made our own exploration of the place.

As I walked inside, I saw more temple ruins and wall-carving, featuring stone reliefs of devatas (minor female deities), meditating monks or ascetics, and dvarapalas or temple guardians. However, parts of the structure had collapsed and some part of the ruins were close for repair work.

The temple is famous of overrun by very large and old trees. I saw tree roots that engulf the structures were very interesting to behold.

Soon as I was taking shots of the large tree, I noticed that visitors around were unfamiliar faces. I knew time was up and most friends had hopped back into the bus.

I made my way out of the temple unreluctantly and just before I left the temple, I met an old Khmer lady sitting in the ruins offering blessing and incense for burning. First thought came into my mind was to take her portrait shot. Having her consent, I took the first portrait of a Cambodian, which turned out to be one of my collection of Cambodian faces. I started to seek for unique faces from this trip.

old lady at Ta Prohm

old lady at Ta Prohm

I was the last to get into the bus yet was in time. We then departed to Angkor Wat.

45 minutes was just too short to tour Ta Prohm especially for people who want to explore and snap photos. Knowing that early morning is the best time to visit Ta Prohm: less visitors and dawn mystical atmosphere will intensify the experience, I just know that I have to be there again!

May all beings be happy. Sharing some shots which I took after the jump:

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康乃馨的悄悄话

By Compassion, Photography
Khmer mother

Khmer mother

爱已经存在在某个角落,是你从不留意的角落。我们是否从不稀罕人家对我的善意,我们甚至会猜想他们是否对我们有企图心。

可是有一种爱,你可以不用怀疑,那就是母亲的爱。打从我降生在这个世界上,当我张开小小的眼睛,我愣住一个人的样貌,她是多么亲切、熟悉的脸孔。

从那时,我开始领悟,我的生活不能缺乏母亲。她负责照料三餐,每一日做家务,把家里打理得井井有条。

母亲是一把雨伞,为我阻挡暴风雨。犹记小学时在学校被人欺负、被老师责骂,第一个想求助的人是母亲,心里极想快点放学回家,跟母亲倾诉我的苦处,抱著她的大腿稀里哗啦的哭。

十几年后,我渐渐长大,发现母亲的身躯越来越矮小。以前我们一起结伴同行,如今我的步伐待调整。我不能走得太快,否则她会落后,跟不上我的脚步。当我停下来,望著母亲年迈的脸孔以及矮小的身躯。我才领悟,岁月神偷已毫不留情地夺走了她最宝贵的青春。

身为儿女的我们,还有多少年日和机会报答母亲的恩情呢?我唯有祈祷上帝,利用我在世的年日,好好疼惜你,孝顺你这辈子。

[文:雄猫眼,刊登于星洲日报副刊]
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Let’s go Cambodia – arrival in Siem Reap

By My journey, Photography
faces of Cambodia

faces of Cambodia

Sua s‘dei! (hello in Khmer) Early of April, I was on a 3-day and 2-night tour in Cambodia with friends. I knew three days would be too short to explore the tranquil beauty of the land of most magnificent temples in the world. So I’d decided to take as many photos as possible. The trip had turned to a training ground for photography.

Most friends on this trip including I had not been to Cambodia, so we knew next to nothing of the country. On our arrival in Siem Reap, we were so excited and anticipated of what was to come. As for my first impression when we arrived, Cambodia would be similar to Thailand of its architecture, culture and art, until I studied the distinctiveness of the country and people on the three days exploration.

Well, I have to spare more time to do the photos and writings these days. Let’s have a quick through of our packed itinerary:

Day 1

  • arrived Siem Reap
  • visited Ta Prohm Temple
  • visited Angkor Wat
  • took bus to Phnom Penh

Day 2

  • visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
  • shopped at Russian Market
  • visited Killing Fields
  • Mekong River cruise

Day 3

  • shopped at Russian Market
  • shopped Central Market
  • goodbye Cambodia

May all beings be happy. Sharing some shots of the arrival in Siem Reap.

took AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap

took AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap

"Pray for Japan from Cambodia"

"Pray for Japan from Cambodia"

welcome! immigration clearance..

welcome! immigration clearance..

legal liquor advertising

legal liquor advertising

barefooted Khmer kid

barefooted Khmer kid

Khmer breakfast

Khmer breakfast

bike

bike

Khmer wording, probably saying smoking kills

Khmer wording, probably saying smoking kills

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RM400 of Chinese New Year couplets for 2011

By Chinese calligraphy, Involvement
juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

Early this month, the organising committees of Chun Nuan Ren Jian, Jia Jia Tie Chun Lian (春暖人间、家家贴春联) handed an amount of RM90,000 donation to St John Bachang Haemodialysis Centre. This amount of money was collected from the sale of Chinese New Year couplets prior to Chinese New Year of this year.

The event which held annually is a great success. Over the 8 years, this fundraising event has collected a total amount of RM567,000. Most of the volunteers were Chinese calligraphers consisted of senior citizens and students actively helping to write the couplets and promote to the public.

Besides promoting Chinese calligraphy and encouraging Chinese households to paste couplets on the gateposts or door panels, every year the event aims to support St. John Bachang Haemodialysis Centre, an NGO which charges only RM10 per dialysis treatment for patients who suffer from kidney disease. The money collected from the sale will be donated to the centre and help to ease the finance burdens.

During the handing over of the donation to centre, the organizing committees expressed gratitude to all who volunteered for the event and to public including schools and societies who showed their great supports. Without such support, the event could not be as successful.

And here in juesatta, we helped to promote the Chinese couplets too as of last year. We would like to thank to our friends for the support as we managed to collect an amount of RM400 from the sale of the Chinese couplets. The fund collected here had been handed to the organising committees in March.

Once again thank you and may all beings be happy.

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